On the show, we discussed the finality and fallout from the end of the Kyle Beach era, Brandon Pirri’s demotion back to the Rockford IceHogs, the future of Nikolai Khabibulin in an Indian head sweater and a few other Blackhawks related items.

The show typically veered off the tracks as well in various off-topic stories including the “only” two things Block hates these days, his dog freezing to the ice in the frigid Chicago weather and the recent California expedition. Also, Block tries, and fails to identify common hand tools and his father’s response to it, and our “Pud of the week” award is dealt out as well.

PuckChatter~Radio pulled off 2 shows in 6 days with another brand new episode on Tuesday night. dissecting the Kris Versteeg trade and the reasons why Jimmy Hayes and Dylan Olsen were the players to go the other way.

Then, we give an in-person account of the exclusive Chicago Blackhawks/Banner Collective/Blackhawks TV – launch party for the One Goal II book and 17 Seconds film commemorating the 2013 Stanley Cup Champions that was held at The Wit hotel in downtown Chicago on Monday night – what it was, exclusive details and impressions of this event, film and book.

Since I had to work real late today, and missed the Blackhawks game, I figured we may as well do a PuckChatter~Radio.

On the show (we finished recording just before the Blackhawks-Panthers trade was announced), we discussed the Alex Broadhurst recall, Jeremy Morin’s scratchings, the Andrew Shaw contract extension, who’s next?, Brandon Bollig, the Blackhawks start, IceHogs injuries, the next wave of prospects, and which IceHogs defenseman has been flying under the radar this season. Also, we’ll get to some listener emails, our upcoming trip to St. Louis, Superstar states his irritation with Block’s general tardiness – and much, much more.

On Sunday night, I had the pleasure once again of joining our friends CT and “the Forklift” over at Hockeenight.com for their PuckCast.

Over the course of the show we discussed the Blackhawks so-so start, Kyle Beach‘s recent claim about the role he was “forced” to play, Joakim Nordstrom’s game, whose behind him and whether or not he should be sent down to Rockford. We also discuss Brandon Pirri, Jimmy Hayes, the second-line center position, what should be done and who are the other top candidates for recall at this point.

Rockford’s 2-2 start is covered in detail, all the prospects and Fork’s favorites. We discussed off season changes; Maxim Shalunov‘s first AHL shift gone terribly awry, and a funny story about Maxim Shalunov’s first interaction with the IceHogs training staff gone terribly awry; Kent Simpson going for Rockford’s star player one weekend to bench warmer the next; which Blackhawks prospect is likely to jump straight from college into the NHL, the Islanders terrible future home, Mariano Rivera, the fate of MSG, Laschet’s Inn, some Russian military history, a Jock Callander sighting and much, much more.

Its the longest PuckCast in more than three years and second-longest ever.

This week’s edition of PuckChatter~Radio, done on Tuesday night, is finally available for download or play here on the site.

Over the course of this show, we jumped into the reader/listener email bag to answer your questions on Steve Larmer and the Hall of Fame, Brandon Bollig, Kyle Beach, this upcoming season’s second line center and some ‘blogger’ stuff.

We also share exclusive, behind-the-scenes details from Pearl Jam’s concert at Wrigley Field in Chicago this past weekend, as well as discuss puppy dogs and health problems, sleeping on the floor, Sega Genesis, NHL97, Road-Trippin’, being old and gassy, inappropriate sharing and much much more.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

We’ll return next week with another show largely dedicated to answering more emails and possibly a caller or two helping us out with the events of this upcoming weekend’s Blackhawks Fan Convention. If you have a question or topic you’d wish to contribute to next week’s show, you can pass it along using one of the email addresses below.

On this edition of PuckChatter~Radio, I’m joined by Brad Gardner of HockeysFuture.com and frequent contributor to TheThirdManIn.com to review all the Blackhawks news of the past two weeks.

Brad also attended Blackhawks prospect camp this past week and shares his thoughts on the standouts; how some other top prospects looked as well as some surprise performers as well.

We also look at the new assistant coach in Rockford and one particular intriguing aspect of that hire as well as some of the new player contracts a busy Stan Bowman has been dishing out the past two weeks as well.

Over the course of this 60 minute podcast, Al and I outline the turning points and pivotal factors in the Blackhawks playoff run, climaxing with Monday night’s clinching Game 6 victory in Boston. We also look at the toll some player’s endured in the battle for Lord Stanley’s chalice and how much is too much; compliance buyouts, offer sheets, what awaits Bryan Bickell, what’s next for Stan Bowman and Joel Quenneville’s team, who won’t be back and some names that could also be on the move.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

–Special Thanks to Molson Canadian, the Official Imported Beer of the NHL..

The Chicago Blackhawks answered the Call of the Cup, have you?

If not, there’s still time to participate in Molson Canadian beer’s Call of the Cup.

For a limited time, Molson’s Call of the Cup bottle series will be available throughout the Chicagoland area as in markets across the United States.

Molson Canadian recognizes that every decision a coach makes in the Playoffs can mean the difference between skating to glory and skating into the off season.

When you pick up Molson Canadian bottles now in the U.S., you can participate in The Call of the Cup series, which allows hockey fans to play the role of the coach and make the tough calls from their smart phones, or just debate the questions and scenarios on the back of the bottle labels between friends.

Which special teams unit is more important in the playoffs? Make trades or stand pat at the trade deadline? Be a part and help a team win its first Stanley Cup or help a team break a long championship drought? Answer these questions and debate more scenarios in The Call of the Cup series from Molson Canadian beer.

For more information check Molson Canadian out and Like them on Facebook at:

PuckChatter~Radio will return next week (either Monday or Wednesday) to review the Blackhawks at this Sunday’s NHL draft in Newark, New Jersey, the moves Stan Bowman and company make there as well as preview free agency opening on July 5th.

On Tuesday night, PuckChatter~Radio returned to review the initial three games of the Stanley Cup Finals, illuminate the issues ailing the Blackhawks as well as try to make sense of some of the decisions and moves coach Joel Quenneville has been making behind the bench so far in facing the Boston Bruins

I’ve got to tell you… I turned flat out exhausted and needed an intermission, and an ice pack after my attempt to do the latter.

We also previewed tonight’s Game 4 in Beantown, discussed Bryan Bickell’s status in the current series and what Zdeno Chara could possibly have been thinking?; Brandon Bollig‘s play, the trouble with Viktor Stalberg; the thing about momentum… How Dave Bolland has played more minutes than Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane at times in this series? Our take, and the irony of it, on the Marian Hossa – Ben Smith warmup saga of Game 3; why folks need to stop excusing, or making excuses for captain Jonathan Toews and much, much more.

Also, bathroom exits and trouble with the auto mechanic… all on edition number 130 of Puck Chatter.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

–Special Thanks to Molson Canadian, the Official Imported Beer of the NHL..

As you watch the Chicago Blackhawks strive for Lord Stanley’s Cup for the second time in four seasons, make sure to pick up some cold, refreshing Molson Canadian and participate in Molson Canadian USA’s Call of the Cup..

Molson Canadian recognizes that every decision a coach makes in the Playoffs can mean the difference between skating to glory and skating into the off season.

When you pick up Molson Canadian bottles now in the U.S., you can participate in The Call of the Cup series, which allows hockey fans to play the role of the coach and make the tough calls from their smart phones, or just debate the questions and scenarios on the back of the bottle labels between friends.

Which special teams unit is more important in the playoffs? Make trades or stand pat at the trade deadline? Be a part and help a team win its first Stanley Cup or help a team break a long championship drought? Answer these questions and debate more scenarios in The Call of the Cup series from Molson Canadian beer.

Complications in our schedules this week left us with little choice but to record our show right before the Blackhawks-Kings Game 4 in LA.

Were our Game 4 predictions on the money or did we come out the other side looking like dopes? I’ll let you decide.

Also on this edition of PuckChatter~Radio, we discuss Niklas Hjalmarsson, Bryan Bickell, the Duncan Keith suspension, why Brad Watson is officiating the Conference Finals after the controversial disallowed goal in Game 3 of the Red Wings series, and a discussion of that play.

I also have a personal dedication, a request, some gossip of our recent trip to Las Vegas, the atrocious NBC second-team NHL broadcast team and much more.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

–Special Thanks to Molson Canadian, the Official Imported Beer of the NHL..

As you enjoy this NHL playoff season, and the Chicago Blackhawks bid to lift Lord Stanley’s chalice for the second time in four seasons, make sure to pick up some cold, refreshing Molson Canadian at your local grocer or adult beverage outlet.

Molson Canadian recognizes that every decision a coach makes in the Playoffs can mean the difference between skating to glory and skating into the off season.

When you pick up Molson Canadian bottles now in the U.S., you can participate in The Call of the Cup series, which allows hockey fans to play the role of the coach and make the tough calls from their smart phones, or just debate the questions and scenarios on the back of the bottle labels between friends.

Which special teams unit is more important in the playoffs? Make trades or stand pat at the trade deadline? Be a part and help a team win its first Stanley Cup or help a team break a long championship drought? Answer these questions and debate more scenarios in The Call of the Cup series from Molson Canadian beer.